Fluid sampling bottle apparatus



April 6, 1965 s. v. cHELMlNsKl FLUID SAMPLING BOTTLE APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1l 1962 umm TM mz v Omf V m.. F 5

FIG" FIGZBYf/mfy @n ATTORNEYS.

April 6, 1965 s. v. cHl-:LMlNsKl FLUID SAMPLING BOTTLE APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheetv 2 Filed June 11 1962 FIG.5

INVENTOR. JTf//EN V O/ZLM//VSAI ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3,176,517 Y FL SAMPLING BGTTLE APPARATUS The present invention relates to iiuid sampling devices and particularly to a new and improved duid sampling device that can receive a uid sample at a predetermined location within a body of the fluid without the sample being contaminated by other layers of the fluid Within said body. While the :principles of the invention are applicable to apparatus for sampling any huid, either gaseous or liquid, they will be shown and described as applied to oceanographic equipment, and particularly to a new and improved oceanographic water sampling bottle.

It often become necessary to procure samples of water at ditierent elevations within a body of water, which samples must not -be contaminated by layers Vof water above and below the one from which the sample is taken.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an oceanographic water sampling bottle arrangement that Iwill have .the capability of collecting samples of water at predetermined depths without the samples being contaminated by layers of water above and below the elevations from which they are taken.

Another object of .the invention is to provide a ilex- -ible water sampling bottle that is initially collapsed Vby being evacuated and is retained in such condition until triggered, whereupon it is opened to receive a Water sample and thereafter it is closed to prevent contamination by layers of Water above and below the location from which the sample is taken.

Still another object of the invention is to mount a series of such bottles along a wire for sampling water at different elevations and to provide triggering means for each bottle .that is rendered effective by the next higher bottle in the series.

Another object yof the invention is to provide such a sampling bottle and control linkage therefor that are made entirely from inert materials.

In one aspect of the invention, a ex-ible, hollow container may be mounted between tWo parallel arms of a linkage. The container may have a single port for the ingess and egress of iluid. The port may be in the form of a rubber tube that may be normally closed by a reciprocable plunger. l

In another aspect of the invention, between the parallel arms supporting the hollow container and spaced from one side of the latter, a linkage may be provided for operating the reciprocable plunger as well as for other purposes. This linkage may comprise a rcciprocable bar having cam means thereon for closing off the por-t to the container when the bar is at one end of its re- -ciprocable movement, :to open said'port when said bar is in an intermediate position, and to close said port again when it is at the other end of its recip-rocable movement.

In still another aspect of the invention, another linkage may be pivotally mounted in a manner 4so that one end thereof may be acted upon by the expansion of the ilexible container, while its other end may be arranged to hold the reciprocable bar in its intermediate position until the expanding container trips the pivotal link to cause the bar to move to the other end of its movement to effect closing of the port leading to the container.

In still another aspect of the invention, a series of sample collecting bottles may be iixed to a wire cable at predetermined locations therealong, each container having been previously evacuated and its corresponding 3,175,517 Patented Apr. v6, V1965A ice reciprocable bar being cocked so that the cam thereon effects closing of the port leading to and ltlrom :the container. Weights may be slidably mounted on the wire between succeeding bottles, said Weights being held near the next upper bottle by a cable that extends through a key-shaped slot .in the reciprocable bar that cooperates with a hole within a stationary link, which latter hole is of such diameter as to pass a ball connected to the end of the cable opposite that connected to the slidable weight. The construction and arrangement Iof the parts are such that with a vertical wire extending downwardly into a body of water with bottles at predetermined elevations, release of the uppermost slidable Weight will trigger the linkage of the bottle nearest the water surface, and as each bottle is iilled and closed, the next lower slidable Weight will be automatically released to effect triggering the linkage for the next lower bottle.

The above, other objects and novel features of the oceanographic water bottle will become apparent trom the following specification and accompanying drawings which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, with portions shown in section, oi a samplingfbottle to which the principles of the invention have been applied, and is shown with the arm in tripped and blocked position;

FIG. 2 is a view looking lin the direction of the arrows along line 2-2 of FIG. 1,.With portions of the linkage shown in sections;

FIG. 3 discloses a tandem arrangement of bottle devices of the type shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a modified form of the invention; and

FIG. A5 is a view looking in ahe direction of the arrows along line 5-5 Vof FIG. 4. l

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a frame 1t) including spaced parallel arm means 11 and 12 between Whichmay be mounted a l collapsible container 13 which in the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1 is in the form of a rubber tubular member having its ends closed by solid heads 14 and 15 of plastic material such as polypropylene or the like, said heads having tapered sides so as to permit the tube 13 to collapse along said tapered sides, insuring that it collapses in the saine direction each time.

The arm means 11 may comprise parallel spaced bars 16 and 17 having aroller 1S therebetween through which a plastic threaded bar 19 extendsvonto the threaded ends of which plastic nuts 20 (shown in FIG. 3) are threaded. In line with the threaded bar 19 may be two other threaded bars 21, 22 having rotatable collars 23, Z4 thereon .that ride within an elongated slot 25 in a plunger 26. Both ends of the plunger are pointed, one adapted to cooperate with a cam surface 2'7 on a reciprocable rod or bar 28, and the other adapted -t`o cooperate with the roller 18; between the two latter elements a exible rubber hose 29 may extend. The hose 29 gis connected to the port -for the ingress and egress of duid to the interior of the flexible container 13. Port 30 may coin- -prise a pluralityof openings (not shown) so thatt-he rubber hose 29 and container 13 cannot be forced yinto the port 30 by the pressure of the water at great depths; rPhe container 13 is provided with two connectors 31,- 32 that are tired to the solid head 14 and are also pinned to the bars 16 and 17 forming the anni means 1'1.

The cam surface 27 is V-shaped-and has lands 33 and 34 on each side thereof. Accordinglyywith the recip= rocable rod or bar 28 in the position shown in FIG. 1, the plunger 26 permits the natural resiliency ofthe rubber hose 29 to open it, providing ingress and egress of fluid to the interior of the flexible container 13. Movement of bar 28 upwardly or downwardly from the position shown n.9 in FIG. 1 causes vmovement of plunger 26 leftwardly, thereby compressing -tube 29 against roll 18, causing closing of tube 29.

The bar 28 extends downwardly. between two bars 35 and 36, which latter include right angular upper portlons 37, 38 that lie between bars 16 and 17 and embrace the plunger 26. The bars 35, 36 may .include coextensive, aligned, elongated slots 39 and 40, which latter are transversely aligned with a recess 41 in the reciprocable bar 28.l

Identical arms 42 and 43 may be pivotally mounted on a. threaded pin 44 that extends through arms 35 and 36 and includes nuts 45 and 46 thereon. The threaded pin 44 passes through an elongated slot 47 in bar 28 to'permit the latter to be reciprocated relative to the bars 42 and 43. The ends of bars 42, 43 opposite those mounted on pin 44 support a roll 48 between them which is adapted to cooperate with a wall of the flexible container 13, as will be explained later.

The arms 42, 43 are normally urged in ,a clockwise directionabout pin 44 (FIG. 1) by a pivotally mounted, reciprocable cocking member 49 having transverse trunnions 50 that ride in elongated, coextensive slots 39 and 40 in bars 35 and 36, and in the recess 41 in bar 28. The portion of member 49 that supports trunnions 50 is adapted to rest on the bottom edge 41 of recess 41. The member 49 also includes a notch 51 in which resilient band means 52, such as a rubber band, may have its one end anchored and its opposite end may be vconnected to the end of arms 42, 43 supporting roll 48. Not only does the band 52 tend t0 turn arms 42, `43 in a clockwise direction (FIG. 1), but it also resiliently resists the upward movementof the bar 28.

The pivoted bars 42, 43 may have coextensive recesses 53 forming a land 54 on which trunnions 50 rest when the bar 28 is pulled upwardly, thereby cocking the linkage. In the position of the partsshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bar 28 is prevented from moving to its lowest position by a removable, blocking pin 55 that passes through bars 35, 36 and against which the end 56 of bar 28 abuts. This position of the bar 28 effects cooperation between cam 27 and plunger 26, opening tube 29 so that free ingress and egress to the container 13 are possible.

The bars 35, 36, at their lower ends, may receive between them the upper end of a link 57 that is rigidly attached thereto by a plate 58 and bolts 59, 60. The lower end of link 57 may be received between two links 61, 62 forming the arm means 12 and these links may be held together by a bolt 63. A connector 64 may connect the end of link 62 opposite bolt 63 to the solid end 15 of container 13.

With the apparatus in the condition shown in FIG. -1, the tube 29 is open and consequently the container 13 may be evacuated so that it will assume the form shown in FIG. 3. When evacuated, bar 28, and with it cocking member 49, can be raised against the action of band 52. Raising bar 28 causes cam surface 27 Yto move plunger 26 leftwardly, closing tube 29, and when trunnions 50 reach the elevation of land 54 on bars 42, 43, the band 52 will cause the latter to turn clockwise so that trunnions 50 rest on land 54 and roll 48 moves toward, but does not necessarily contact, the side wall of the collapsed container 13.

With pin 55 removed and the bar 28 in an uppermost position, downward movement of the bar 28 to a point where plunger 26 engages cam surface 27 will cause the inherent resiliency of tube 29 to move plunger 26 rightwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1. The trunnions 50, however, are still on land 54 (not so shown in FIG. 1), and the container 13 fills with fluid, expanding its side walls to cylindrical form, whereupon roll 48 and bars 42, 43 are caused to move counterclockwise, removing land .54 from beneath trunnions 50 which is the position shown 1n FIC?. 1. Accordingly, band 52 pulls bar 28 downwardly until its end 56 abuts the top of link 57, blocking pin 55 having been removed, at which time cam 33 on bar 28 forces plunger 26 leftwardly, closing tube 29 and trapping the fluid in container 13.

Referring to FIG. 3, the devices previously described are adapted to be mounted in spaced relation along a cable 65. Accordingly, the bracket 58 and an extens1on of plate 16 may support clamping dogs 66 which will receive the cable 65, and threaded means 67 may be employed to releasably clamp the dogs 66 to the cable 65 such that the latter extends along the top of bar 28.

Messenger Weights 68 may be slidably mounted on cable 65, and each, except the uppermost one, may be connected to a cable 69. The cable 69 may have at its end opposite weight 68, a ball 7l) that passes through an elongated slot 71 in bar 28 and transversely aligned holes 72 in bars 35, 36. The lower end of slot 71 is narrowed at 73 so that when bar 28 is raised, the ball 70 is prevented from passing through slot 71 and hence supports its corresponding weight 68 `above the next lower sampling apparatus.

When the uppermost weight 68 is permitted to slide down cable 65, it trips the first sampling apparatus and as each apparatus has completed its function, it releases the next lower weight 68, causing it to trip the next lower sampling device.

All other parts of the apparatus are made from noncontaminating materials such as rubber and/or plastic material such as polypropylene.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the principles ofthe invention are shown as applied to a modified form of the invention including a bellows sample container 74. A central plastic frame member 75, shown as having a generally rectangular outline and a hanged periphery,k may support connectors 76 and 77 that'connect it to the arm means 11 and 12 as described in connection with FIG. 1. Bellows means 78 may be connected to each side of the central member 75, said bellows means having their Vouter ends closed and their inner ends in communication with each other through the frame member 75. Bellows 78 maybe made from a plastic material such as polypropylene, as may all other parts of the device.

It is possible to invert the arrangement so that when it is lowered and approaches bottom, arm 28 or a probe (not shown) will contact the bottom and cause lling of the container in the same manner as when tripped by a messenger.

Although the various features of the oceanographic sampling bottle device have been shown and described in rdetail to fully disclose two embodiments of the invention, it will be evident that Vchanges may be made in such details and certain features may be used without others without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fluid sampling apparatus, a tlexible-walled container having port means; means for mounting said container; movable port-controlling means for controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said port-controlling means comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon inY position to cooperate with said port-controlling means; said bar being movable into a cocked position wherein said cam means cooperates with said port-controlling means for closing said port means and being movable into an opening position whereing said cam means cooperates with said port-controlling means for opening saidport means and being further movable into a reclosing position wherein said cam means cooperates with said port-controlling means for reclosing said port means; means for holding said bar in said cocked position with Ysaid port-controlling means closing said port means; means for moving said bar to said opening position for opening said port means; and meansresponsive to the.V filling of said container for effecting the further movement of said bar to said reclosing position for electing reclosing of said port means.

2. In a iiuid sampling apparatus, a flexible-walled container having port means; means for mounting said container; a movable member for controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said member comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in position to cooperate with said member, said cam means having a central recess and two lands on opposite sides of said recess; means for holding said bar in a cocked position with one of said lands cooperating with said member for closing said port means; means for moving said bar to a position with said recess cooperating with said member for opening said port means; means responsive to the lling of said container for effecting the continued movement of said bar to a position with the other of said lands cooperating with said member for reclosing of said port means; a cable extending downwardly from said mounting means; weight means slidably mounted on said cable and suspended from said bar; a second fluid sampling container positioned by said cable below said weight means and adapted to be actuated by downward movement of said weight means for taking a sample; and means responsive to said continued movement of said bar for releasing said weight means.

3. In a liuid sampling apparatus, a flexible-walled container having port means; means for mounting said container; reciprocable plunger means for controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said plunger comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in position to cooperate with said plunger means; a cooking device pivotally mounted on said bar for movement with, and relative to said bar; means for holding said cooking device and bar in a position such that said cam means positions said plunger to close said port means; means for moving said bar to a position opening said port means; and means responsive to the iilling of said container for releasing said cooking device to erfeot continued movement of said bar to a position such that said Vcam means lon said bar recloses said port means.

4. In a lluid sampling apparatus, a flexible-walled container having port means; means for mounting said container; reciprocable plunger means for controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said plunger comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in position to cooperate with said plunger means; a cooking device pivotally'mounted on said bar for movement with, and relative to said bar; means for holding said cooking device and bar in a position such that said cam means positions said plunger to close said port means; means for moving said bar to a position opening said port means; means responsive to the iilling of said container for releasing said cooking device to effect continued movement of said bar to a position such that said cam means on said bar recloses said port means; cable means extending down from said mounting means; weight means slidably engaged with said cable means and suspended from said bar; a second fluid sampling container positioned adjacent to said cable means below said weight means and adapted to be actuated by downward sliding motion of said Weight means; and means responsive to the continued movement of said bar for releasing said weight means.

5. In a liuid sampling apparatus, a iieXible-walled container having port means; means for mounting said container; reciprocable plunger means for. controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said plunger comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in position to cooperate with said plunger means; a cooking device pivotally mounted on said bar for movement with, and relative to said bar; pivotally mounted means, independent of said bar, having an end adapted to cooperate with the side wall of said container, and including land means for engaging means on said cooking device for holding said cooking device and bar in a position such that said cam means positions said plunger to close said port means; and means for moving said bar to a position opening said port means, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that as said con- `plunger means; a cooking device pivotally mounted on said bar for movement with, and relative to said bar; pivotally mounted means, independent of said bar, having an end adapted to cooperate with the side wall of said container, and including land means for engaging means on said cooking device for holding said cooking device and bar in a position such that said cam means positions said plunger to close said port means; means for moving said bar to a position opening said port means, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that as said container fills, its side wall contacts said pivotally mounted means that is independent of said bar for releasing said cooking device to effect continued movement of said bar to a position such that said cam means on said bar recloses said port means; cable means extending down from said apparatus; weight means slidably guided by said cable means and being suspended from said bar; a second fluid sampling container supported by said cable means below said weight means and arranged to be actuated by downward sliding movement of said weight means; and means responsive to the continued movement of said bar for releasing said weight means.

7. In a iiuid sampling apparatus, a ilexible-walled hol- Y low cylindrical container having port means; means for mounting said container; port-controlling means for controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said port-controlling means comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in position to cooperate with said port-controlling means; a cooking device pivotally mounted on said bar for movement with,

and relative to said bar; means for holding said cooking i kdevice and bar in a position such that said cam means positions said port-controlling means to close said port means; means for moving said bar to a position opening said port means; and means responsive to the filling of said container forreleasing said cooking device to eect continued movement of said bar to a position such that Vsaid cam means ion said bar recloses said port means.

8. In a fluid sampling apparatus, a eXible-Walled, hollow cylindrical container having port means; means for mounting said container; reciprocable plunger means for controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said plunger comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in position to cooperate withsaid plunger means; a cooking device pivotally mounted on said bar for movement with, and relative to said bar; pivotally mountedfmeans, independent of said bar, having an end adapted to cooperate with the sidewall of said container, and including land means for engaging means on said cooking device for holding said cooking device and bar in a position such that said cam means positions said plunger to close said port meansgand means for moving -said bar to a position opening said port means,

the construction and arrangement of the parts being suchthat as said container iills, its side wall contacts said pivotally mounted` means that is independent of said bar for releasing said cooking device to eiect continued movement of said bar to a position such that said cam means on said bar recloses said port means.

9. In a iiuid sampling apparatus, a bellows containerV having port means; means for mounting said container; port-controlling means for controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said portcontrolling means comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in 4position to cooperate with said port-controlling means, said bar being movable into a plurality of positions for opening and closing said port means; means for holding said bar in a first position with Vsaid port-controlling means closing said port means; means for moving said bar to a second position for opening said 'port means; and means responsive to the filling of said container for effecting the continued movement of said bar to eiect reclosing of said port means.

10. In a iluid sampling apparatus, a bellows container having port means; means for mounting said container; a movable member for opening and closing said port means; means for operating said member comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means in operative association therewith in position to cooperate with said member, said bar being movable into a plurality of positions for providing cooperation of said cam means with said member for successively closing, then opening and then reclosing said port means; means for holding said bar in a rst position with said member closing said port means; means for moving 'said bar to a second position for opening said port means; means responsive to the filling of said container for etecting tlie further movement of said bar to a third position for reclosing said port means; cable means extending down from said mounting means; weight means slidingly secured to said cable means and suspended from said bar; a second `container positioned adjacent to said cable means below said weight means and arranged to be operated by downward sliding movement of said weighty means Vfor taking a uid sample; and means responsive to the movement of said bar into said third position for releasing said weight means.

1l. In a fluid sampling apparatus, a bellows container having port means; meansfor mounting saidrcontainer;

reciprocable plunger means for controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said 'plunger comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in position to cooperate with said plunger means; a cocking ydevice pivotally mounted on said bar for movement with, and relative to said bar; means for holding said cooking device and bar in a position such that said cam means positions said plunger to close said port means; means for moving said bar to a position opening said port means; and means responsive to the illingof said container for releasing said cocking device to eiect continued movement of said bar to a position such that said cam means on said bar recloses said port means.

l2. In a fluid sampling apparatus, a bellows container having port means; meansfor mounting said container; reciprocable plunger means for controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said plunger comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in position to cooperate with said plunger means; a cooking device pivotally vmounted on said bar for movement with, and relative to said bar; means for holding said cooking device and bar in a position such that said cam means positions said plunger to close said port means; means for moving said bar to a position opening said port means; means responsive to the filling of said container for releasing said cocking device to eltect continued movement of said bar to a position such that said cam means on said bar recloses said port means; Weight means suspended from said bar; fluid sampling means suspended -below said weight means and adapted to be actuated by downward movement of said weight means; and means responsive to the continued ymovement of said bar for releasing said weight means. Y

13. In atluid sampling apparatus, a bellows container having port means; means for mounting said container;

reciprocable plunger means for controlling the opening. ,and closing of said port means; means for operating said plunger comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in position to cooperate with said plunger means; a cocking device Vpivotally mounted on said bar for movement with, and relative to said bar; pivotally mounted means, independent of said bar, having an end adapted to cooperate with the container, and including land means for engaging means on said cooking device for holding said cocking device and bar in a position such that said cam means positions said plunger to close said port means; and means for moving said bar to a position opening said port means, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that as said bellows container fills, it contacts said pivotally mounted means that is independent of said bar for releasing said cocking device to eiect continued movement of said bar a position such that said cam means on said bar recloses said port means.

14. vIn a Huid sampling apparatus, a bellows container having port means; means for mounting said container; reciprocable plunger means for controlling the opening and closing of said port means; means for operating said plunger comprising a reciprocable bar having cam means thereon in position to cooperate with said plunger means; a cooking device pivotally mounted on said bar for movement with, and relative to said bar; pivotally mounted means, independent of said bar, having an end adapted to cooperate with the container, and including land means -for engaging means on said cocking device for holding said cooking device and bar in a position such that said cam means positions said plunger to close said port means; means for movingsaid bar to a position opening said port means, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that as said bellows container fills, it contacts said pivotally mounted means that is independent of said bar for releasing said cooking device to eiect continued movement of saidbar to a position such that said cam means on said bar recloses said port means; weight means suspended from'said bar; fluid sampling means supported below said weight means and adapted to be actuated by downward movement of said weight means; and means responsive to the .continued movement of said bar for releasing said weight means.

Y l5. Marine water sampling apparatus for obtaining a sample of water in a body of Water while avoiding contamination by layers of water above the elevation from which the sample is taken comprising a collapsible container having port means for ingress of the water sample, means for closing said port means for holding said container empty while the. apparatus is moved to a desired depth with said container in collapsed condition, operating means for opening said closing means at a desired depth for receiving a water sample into the container through said port means and means for actuating said closing means into closed condition when the container has received a sample.

16. Marine water sampling apparatus for obtaining a sarnple of Water in a body of water while avoiding contarriination by layers of water above the elevation from which the sample is taken comprising a collapsible con- .tainer having port means for ingress of the water sample, means for closing said port means for maintaining said container in collapsed condition during lowering of the apparatus into the body of Water, operating means for opening said port means at a desired depth for allowing said containerY to resume its normal shape while drawing in a sample, and means responsive to the return of said container to its normal shape for closing said port means for protecting the sample in said container. f Oceanographic water sampling apparatus for obtaining a sample of Water at a depth in a body of water Comprising a ilexible hollow cylindrical container, port means in said container for admitting a water sample into said container, internal guide means within said cylindrical container at opposite ends thereof for guiding the collapse of said container, means for closing said port means to prevent entry of water during lowering of said apparatus to a depth ina body of water while said container is collapsed, and operating means for opening said port means for admitting a sample of water through said port means into said container.

18. Oceanographic water sampling apparatus for obtaining a sample of water at a depth in a body of Water comprising a flexible hollow cylindrical container having port means for ingress of the sample, a pair of heads closing the opposite ends of said container, said heads having tapered sides within said container for permitting the container to collapse along said tapered sides and for assuring that the container collapses in the same direction each time of use, operating means for closing said port means during lowering of the apparatus into the body of Water, means for opening said port means when a sample is to be taken, and sensing means responsive to the return of said container to its normal configuration for closing said port means after the sample has entered said container.

19. Oceanographic water sampling apparatus for obtaining a sample of Water in a body of Water while avoiding contamination by layers of Water above the elevation from which the sample is taken comprising a collapsible container, a resilient tubular port connected to said container for providing ingress into said container, port-controlling means for compressing said tubular port into sealed condition for closing said port to prevent entry of water into said container While said container moves down 19 in collapsed condition to the elevation from which the sample is to be taken, and operating means for opening the port-controlling means at said elevation.

20. Oceanographic water sampling apparatus of inert materials for obtaining Ia sample of Water at a depth in a body of water while avoiding contamination comprising a flexible container for receiving the sample adapted to be collapsed initially before being lowered into the body of water, said container having port means for entry of the sample into the container, a frame for removably mounting said collapsible container, means for closing said port means, operating means for opening said closing means at a desired elevation in the body of water for taking a sample, and control means for closing said port means when the container has taken a sample.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,314,372 3/43 Spilhaus 73-425.4 2,391,978 1/46 Kahl 73-425.4

RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT L. EVANS, Examiner. 

1. IN A FLUID SAMPLING APPARATUS, A FLEXIBLE-WALLED CONTAINER HAVING PORT MEANS; MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID CONTAINER; MOVABLE PORT-CONTROLLING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF SAID PORT MEANS; MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID PORT-CONTROLLING MEANS COMPRISING A RECEPROCABLE BAR HAVING CAM MEANS THEREON IN POSITION TO COOPERATE WITH SAID PORT-CONTROLLING MEANS; SAID BAR BEING MOVABLE INTO A COCKED POSITION WHEREIN SAID CAM MEANS COOPERATES WITH SAID PORT-CONTROLLING MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID PORT MEANS AND BEING MOVABLE INTO AN OPENING POSITION WHEREING SAID CAM MEANS COOPERATES WITH SAID PORT-CONTROLLING MEANS FOR OPENING SAID PORT MEANS AND BEING FURTHER MOVABLE INTO A RECLOSING POSITION WHEREIN SAID CAM MEANS COOPERATES WITH SAID PORT-CONTROLLING MEANS FOR RECLOSING SAID PORT MEANS; MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID BAR IN SAID COCKED POSITION WITH SAID PORT-CONTROLLING MEANS CLOSING SAID PORT MEANS; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID BAR TO SAID OPENING POSITION FOR OPENING SAID PORT MEANS; AND MEANS RESPONSIVE 